Lifting of lockdown welcomed by MP
STOCKPORT has been released from Greater Manchester’s additional local lockdown measures.
It means people living in the borough will once again be allowed to socialise in groups of up to two households indoors.
They will also be able to stay overnight at somebody else’s home - but must try to social distance.
The relaxation means they can also book close contact services such as facials and brow or eyelash treatments.
Bowling alleys roller rinks, soft play centres and casinos will also be allowed to reopen.
Hazel Grove MP William Wragg said: “I welcome this development.
“I think it was the right decision. I was pleased to work with the leader of the council.
“Even though we are different political parties, we have cooperated, and data has been shared, and this decision reflects the data which shows much reduced rates of infection in Stockport.
“I want to pay tribute to everyone working to bring that reduction about, and to the residents of Stockport for following the guidance.
“We can go back to a greater degree of freedom, while keeping the guidance in mind.”
Last week, Stockport council leader Elise Wilson told the Greater Manchester coronavirus press conference the reason the borough’s rates were falling was down to ‘the hard work of the residents of Stockport’.
She said that because infection rates are now within acceptable government levels, the borough should be released from restrictions.
On August 27, the council requested, on behalf of the residents of Stockport, that government consider the lifting of local restrictions.
Mr Wragg had previously told the Express that the impact on relationships, friendships and families had been one of his main concerns, and he felt it was important to get some sense of ‘relative normality’ back, in light of the data about falling infection rates.
Stockport MP Navendu Mishra called for a more cautious approach, and described the test and trace system as an ‘unmitigated disaster’.
Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne said decisions which should solely be scientifically evidencebased and not political decisions, and pledged to watch the infection rate data closely ahead of school’s reopening next week.